The first Sunday of Advent...
photo sourceArise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
- Isaiah 60:1-2
Today is the last day of November.
December is at the threshold, waiting to come in one second after November leaves.
Obedient One returned to Manila very early this morning. Worshiper drove her to the airport. It was only 4:00 a.m. when they left, so it was still dark. I wanted to sleep for at least one more hour. I turned off the AC and opened the French doors in my bedroom that lead to a lanai, a small screened sun room where I sometimes eat my breakfast. The dawn air was cool and crisp.
But I wasn't sleepy anymore. I just savored the gentle breeze that was quietly flowing through the open door. After a while, the morning songbird was at my bedroom window with its familiar wake up call.
It was 5 a.m.
And now the day has come to an end.
It has been a long day... and I'm just about ready to sleep, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to say good-bye to November, a very significant month for me. It is good to write a few parting words, my way of expressing thanks to God for all that November 2010 has brought my way.
I found a YouTube version of Michael Smith's Heart of Worship with such beautiful photographs in it. And I've been listening to it over and over again for the past hour.
As I write these words, my heart feels weepy.
The words of the song touch a sensitive chord in my heart.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship...and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus...
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I made it, when it's all about You...it's all about You.
I'll bring You more than a song...
You're lookin' into my heart...you're lookin' my heart...
I'll bring You more than a song...
The way Michael Smith sings it is so soulful, and the accompaniment is not loud or obtrusive - just a simple guitar and an electronic organ...the drums are also subtle...everything blends into a beautiful worship song...
It's easy to be caught up in the nitty-gritty things of each day. And lose sight of what really matters.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. It was a special event, for it signals the start of a new liturgical calendar...
But it just went by without me remembering.
Tonight as I listened to the song, something in my heart tells me to mark the event, to take notice, and give it importance.
Advent means "arrival" - and I know that the first Sunday of Advent ushers in the beautiful season of Christmas.
When I was still in gradeschool, we would have an Advent wreath on a low table at the corner of our classroom. There were four candles on it, and I remember how we would light one candle of Advent on Monday morning while our teacher, a Belgian nun, sang:
December is at the threshold, waiting to come in one second after November leaves.
Obedient One returned to Manila very early this morning. Worshiper drove her to the airport. It was only 4:00 a.m. when they left, so it was still dark. I wanted to sleep for at least one more hour. I turned off the AC and opened the French doors in my bedroom that lead to a lanai, a small screened sun room where I sometimes eat my breakfast. The dawn air was cool and crisp.
But I wasn't sleepy anymore. I just savored the gentle breeze that was quietly flowing through the open door. After a while, the morning songbird was at my bedroom window with its familiar wake up call.
It was 5 a.m.
And now the day has come to an end.
It has been a long day... and I'm just about ready to sleep, but I don't want to miss the opportunity to say good-bye to November, a very significant month for me. It is good to write a few parting words, my way of expressing thanks to God for all that November 2010 has brought my way.
I found a YouTube version of Michael Smith's Heart of Worship with such beautiful photographs in it. And I've been listening to it over and over again for the past hour.
As I write these words, my heart feels weepy.
The words of the song touch a sensitive chord in my heart.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship...and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus...
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I made it, when it's all about You...it's all about You.
I'll bring You more than a song...
You're lookin' into my heart...you're lookin' my heart...
I'll bring You more than a song...
The way Michael Smith sings it is so soulful, and the accompaniment is not loud or obtrusive - just a simple guitar and an electronic organ...the drums are also subtle...everything blends into a beautiful worship song...
It's easy to be caught up in the nitty-gritty things of each day. And lose sight of what really matters.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. It was a special event, for it signals the start of a new liturgical calendar...
But it just went by without me remembering.
Tonight as I listened to the song, something in my heart tells me to mark the event, to take notice, and give it importance.
Advent means "arrival" - and I know that the first Sunday of Advent ushers in the beautiful season of Christmas.
When I was still in gradeschool, we would have an Advent wreath on a low table at the corner of our classroom. There were four candles on it, and I remember how we would light one candle of Advent on Monday morning while our teacher, a Belgian nun, sang:
O come, O come Emmanuel...and ransom captive Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here...until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.
That mourns in lonely exile here...until the Son of God appear
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.
I hardly understood what the words meant...but it was all so solemn, and so special...
Ever since I graduated from High School I have not celebrated Advent, this beautiful season that leads to Christmas...
But tonight, there's a stirring in my heart, and I remember how I felt as a child each time an Advent candle would be lit...
I want to acknowledge the longing I feel, an eager anticipation of something sacred, that which goes beyond the daily ordinary routine of my life...
As I listen to the simple words of the song, I feel a hunger and an intense desire to come before my King...to offer Him something that's of worth...
I hunger to bring him more than a song...more than the beautiful thoughts I have put into words...my lofty and noble intentions....my fervent prayers...the acts of kindness I have done...
I'm longing to offer him something that's of worth...
My heart is so moved by the words of this song...
You search much deeper within...through the way things appear... You're lookin' into my heart!
Indeed how easy it is to be caught up in the mundane, and the ordinary...
But God looks beyond the externals, beneath the surface...
Tonight as there are only a few minutes left of this month, I thank Him for the opportunity to truly worship Him. I offer to Him my whole life, with all its joys and successes...pains and sorrows...disappointments and triumphs...even the hidden resentments that I am often not willing to admit or acknowledge...I offer them all to Him, lay them at His feet...
I want to empty my heart of encumbrances, and hindrances...
I want God's light to shine upon my path, that I may look at my life in light of eternity.
And welcome Him to look inside my heart.
This is a season of preparation...remembering the coming of Jesus into this world, and looking forward to His second coming...
Advent is a time of preparation, of soul-searching, of looking within.
My Prayer:
Father, as November ends, I celebrate the Advent season and all that it stands for.
It is a season of waiting for your purposes to be fulfilled. A season of preparation.
Clean my heart...prepare it for Your glory, Lord... let there be nothing hidden there that will grieve You.
This first week of Advent, I welcome You anew into my heart, dear Lord...
prepare my heart to hear the new things that You want to say, and for the new things you want to do through me...
Help me as I seek to offer You true worship... not what I think You have required... but what I know you want - my whole heart.
Dear friends, I invite you to watch this video...for a beautiful time of worship... as we celebrate the first week of Advent.
Heart of Worship
Ever since I graduated from High School I have not celebrated Advent, this beautiful season that leads to Christmas...
But tonight, there's a stirring in my heart, and I remember how I felt as a child each time an Advent candle would be lit...
I want to acknowledge the longing I feel, an eager anticipation of something sacred, that which goes beyond the daily ordinary routine of my life...
As I listen to the simple words of the song, I feel a hunger and an intense desire to come before my King...to offer Him something that's of worth...
I hunger to bring him more than a song...more than the beautiful thoughts I have put into words...my lofty and noble intentions....my fervent prayers...the acts of kindness I have done...
I'm longing to offer him something that's of worth...
My heart is so moved by the words of this song...
You search much deeper within...through the way things appear... You're lookin' into my heart!
Indeed how easy it is to be caught up in the mundane, and the ordinary...
But God looks beyond the externals, beneath the surface...
Tonight as there are only a few minutes left of this month, I thank Him for the opportunity to truly worship Him. I offer to Him my whole life, with all its joys and successes...pains and sorrows...disappointments and triumphs...even the hidden resentments that I am often not willing to admit or acknowledge...I offer them all to Him, lay them at His feet...
I want to empty my heart of encumbrances, and hindrances...
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
- Psalm 24:3-4
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
- Psalm 24:3-4
I want God's light to shine upon my path, that I may look at my life in light of eternity.
And welcome Him to look inside my heart.
This is a season of preparation...remembering the coming of Jesus into this world, and looking forward to His second coming...
Advent is a time of preparation, of soul-searching, of looking within.
My Prayer:
Father, as November ends, I celebrate the Advent season and all that it stands for.
It is a season of waiting for your purposes to be fulfilled. A season of preparation.
Clean my heart...prepare it for Your glory, Lord... let there be nothing hidden there that will grieve You.
This first week of Advent, I welcome You anew into my heart, dear Lord...
prepare my heart to hear the new things that You want to say, and for the new things you want to do through me...
Help me as I seek to offer You true worship... not what I think You have required... but what I know you want - my whole heart.
Dear friends, I invite you to watch this video...for a beautiful time of worship... as we celebrate the first week of Advent.
Heart of Worship
19 comments:
I love this song...always have.
Yes November is ending and Advent began on Sunday...a precious time of year. I nodded in prayer as I read your prayer.
Blessings as we look forward to celebrating His birth and His final return!
I love this song!
Sending you love and hugs,
Silver
Thank you for opening your heart. I, too, have felt the need for more of Christ in my life especially during Christmas. The holiday bustle will steal your time and focus from what is truly important. My Advent hope during the month of December is to read and study the birth of Christ from Matthew and Luke every day. Focusing and gleaning from scriptures what a great gift we have been given in Jesus Christ.
May God richly bless you this month!
Lisa
Lidj - This was such a beautiful post. The whole thing felt like an act of worship on your part. And I just enjoyed praising God alongside you.
It is a good time to stop and remember. Advent - the COMING of something too wonderful to comprehend.
As we approach the manger, we must bring the most valuable gift we have - the gift that Jesus came to die for - our hearts.
I join you in letting God speak to me in a new way. May I listen...with ALL my heart.
GOD BLESS!
Beautiful song and prayer into
which I come into agreement with
you, dear Lidj.
Blessings today,
Sandy
What a wonderful tribute to God this post was. My favorite song is Also Heart of Worship. My heart "and my eyes" cry out everytime I hear it or sing it. (We sing it in church). It makes me fall to my knees. I'm glad you got your book. I have been wondering about it. It seems to have taken forever for the company to send them out, but I just keep thinking, "in God's Time". The reason for it. The reason I say that is because when one of the other readers decided to start reading her's it was on a day when her hubby was due to have a simple procedure done for his heart, but it turned scary. That book helped her through the scary times, and all "was by accident" ? (With God there are no accidents." God Bless you and your's.
PJ
I KNOW God hears/knows the deepest desire of your heart. May His light dawn with increasing intensity in your life over the days of Advent.
I love that song too...it says everything worth saying and is so so beautiful.
This is a beautiful post...I enjoyed how it began describing a little bit of your daily life and ends on such a willing, giving note. Thank you for posting this...I celebrate advent but I've been having trouble with it this year...laziness maybe? But you have encouraged me and I am so glad!
Have a blessed advent Lidj.
Love Colleen
Hello Lidj, For some reason the song did not open for me??
Advent is a wonderful time..thinking on the Joy to the world. He came as a simple babe to a poor family and changed the world. I am keeping it very quiet this year. I want to be without everything this year and giving out to the less fortunate. I am finding this Christmas harder as I see the hurting. This Saturday night our church has carols. We have it outside in the carpark and we are feeding everyone who comes. Much love to you. God bless you.
Hi Lidj -
This is so full of our Lord's Spirit! Thank you for such glorious refreshment.
I so appreciate that you adore our Saviour and that you share your adoration with us!
Note: Thank you for commenting on my blog under the topic, "GLORY WISE." I responded to your comment there.
Hello Lidj, I got to see and hear the song..on a different computer.
I have always loved singing this song in church. With the pictures it touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.. so lovely. Bless you sweet sister. xxxx
Your lanai sounds like a room of paradisaic dreams. a sun room for eating breakfast.
I know you are appreciating your gifts, and can see you, using the room for contemplation and preparations for the day.
In Norway everybody celebrates advent. Some say that often is commercialized ans superficial, I say its better these days not to pass judgments, but be happy for every soul preparing for the arrival of Christ, instead of NOT doing it.
I lit our advent wreath every morning an say a special verse when holding the match.'Also a tradition from when I was a child.
The church year starts with the first Sunday of Advent, and the color is violet.
he reds shouldn't really be used until Christmas.
I'm using white candle for my living room wreath, red candles for my kitchen wreath, and violet ones in the hall.
I feel free to celebrate in my own colorful ways.
As a Christian every day of my life should be advent; preparation and waiting for the arrival of Christ.
I fear many things are distracting me; all the un-necessities.
I therefor feel thankful for this time; playing Christmas carols on my i-pod and step by step, day by day, in slow motion preparing for the big feast.
Wishing you and especially Full of Hope all well.'From Felisol
With are marking this advent with time around the table in the evening, lighting candles, and singing songs. I can't tell you when I've appreciated the walk to Bethlehem any more than I do this year.
Thank you for your prayers and love, friend. I pray the comfort and peace of all heaven be yours this night.
peace~elaine
I love Michael Smith...and I love this song. Lidj...you pour out your heart and your soul in such beautiful heartfelt ways. If I lived close to you....boy would I hug you tight. You're one very special person...you care. YOu really care. Everytime I read your comments to me...I'm so touched by your words...your presence and when I come here and read your posts...I'm touched again. Stay strong okay...He's got you right in the palm of His hands...He'll never let go. And something I'm learning...He takes the pain...the grief...the tears....and redeems it all. Hugs to you special friend.
BEAUTIFUL song!!
so glad I stopped by Lidj!!
As always...love and peace and hugs come your way.
Lis
Hi Lidia,
Today is my first visit to your blog. I first read what you wrote in My Journey Through Grief. My younger brother was murdered at age 19 and I have a vivid memory of my emotions at that time. I remember how painful it was to go on with life as I knew it. After a period of about twelve months, I was able to move on emotionally. You speak of a destination and at that time, I'm not sure if I even thought of one.
I know that God's grace carried me through those days. Days that I felt pain, hurt, anger and at times rage. Eventually, God healed me of those emotions which felt like an open wound.
I will be praying that your journey take you where grace will keep you.
My spirit has been focused on worship these past few days (since Thanksgiving actually). I am filled with joy and adoration as we inch closer to celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I read this morning that fourth century Christians started this practice (Advent) because they view it as not just the celebration of the birth of Christ, but also as a time of looking forward to His second coming. These Christians discovered hope and joy in the certain promise of His return.
Thank you for sharing how meaningful this time is for you.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Gosh Lidj....I never really saw advent like that before ...you have truly brought something special to me today. I remember also, as a child...mom would light the advent candles as we do in Germany...they lit them also in church-but I never really thought about why. Thank you Lidj, your post really spoke to me today. I've been struggling so much with all that is happening to us right now...God bless you sister.
Thank you for the song.
I hated to see November leave, too. I love to worship and want to grow in pure worship of our Lord. It's a powerful song!
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